Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress

327 Simple thing

“I found her.”

Penny held her breath as she met Zoren’s intense gaze

e gaze – his

– his eyes so deep and piercing that it felt as if they were slowly, carefully, and meticulously unraveling the fabric of her soul. The longer she stared, the louder the echoes of her heartbeat became. Even her swallow seemed amplified in her ears as she struggled to comprehend her feelings under such an intense gaze.

Gradually, the corner of his lips curled up as his eyes softened. “However, my friendship with her will not interfere with what I’m trying to build with my wife,” he added, leaning back. “So, you do not have to worry about that, Miss Penelope.”

“Pen…” she trailed off for a moment before a subtle smile appeared on her face. “We’re not at work, so Penelope is fine.”

“Do you have a shorter name, Penelope?”

“I do.”

“May I call you with it?”

“Maybe… next time.” Penny nodded slightly. “After all, we’re still on our first date.”

“Fair enough.” He nodded in understanding. “Then I’ll wait until the time is right.”

She pressed her lips together and hummed. “Mhm.”

After that, a silence slowly settled between them. However, it was not the kind of silence one would want to break it was a silence that one could enjoy.

—

Penny’s eyes slid to the side, observing his profile. For a second, I thought he knew.”

For some reason, she wasn’t sure if she felt relieved or slightly bitter.

Life would have been less complicated if their lives were as simple as everyone else’s. However, Penny, Zoren, and their families were entangled in some troublesome issues and with difficult people. As she had said before, she preferred to stay safe rather than indulge in temporary bliss.

it didn’t mean this

life be so complicated?’ she wondered as she slowly shifted her gaze from him to the scenery passing by outside the window. I worked hard from a young age and even sacrificed my youth to avoid

for me.‘

to this

were a real headache. On top of that, Zoren’s family dynamics were

–

–

the top of the star section for a reason, and he excelled as an adult. Penny had

327 Simple thing

before passing judgment.

she glanced at Zoren again… for his sake. Maybe for

‘Renren, once this is all dealt with… let’s go back to that place again. I’ll tell you everything about my life over the past twelve years, and I would love to hear your stories from these twelve years. Let’s also take Blacky and Chunchun out. I’m sure

peacefully before she slowly looked away from him. As she did, Zoren slowly glanced at her, only

on his face as he watched her before he, too, looked

[FLASHBACK]

Penny squatted on the playground, pointing at the ground

doubtful look. “Penny, don’t tell me you’re going to make it your

would I do that?” she quickly defended herself. “I’m just

again and squatted beside her. “Which

see? It’s

to survive,” he said, watching the worm wriggle its way out of the dry ground. “I think Mouse would eat it if

you like that

thoughts to himself. Teven

seriously, narrowing her eyes as she stared

intently.

other hand, just stared at her serious face as she considered her options. If someone didn’t know what she was thinking, they might assume she was contemplating a life–or–death situation. Although, to the worm, it

slowly shifting his

you decided yet?” he asked

cast him a pitiful look and said, “I’m a

you said it’s